Love or Pity (One Shot)

1

"Athena, hindi ka ba talaga sasali?," toning ni Denize sa kanyang bespren.

"Hindi na Denz, I have asthma remember?" Denize shot her a concerned look.

"Hindi na bes. Go," Athena replied.

---

Natapos na ang laro at bumaba na ng bleachers si Athena. When she got down, nabangga siya kay Ranz. Ranz Kile Legarda- sikat, mayaman, pogi at anak ng mayor.

"Damn girl! Tumingin ka sa dinadaanan mo!," sigaw ni Ranz kay Athena.

"Sorry," she simply said and smiled. Napaawang ang bibig ni Ranz. He was shocked kasi nabangga nya na nga si Athena, nag-smile pa ito at nag-sorry.

Athena walked away at sinalubong siya ni Denize.

"Oh my gosh girl! Ikaw ang unang babae na nilagpasan si fafa Ranz!" Athena shrugged as if it was no big deal.

PE is their last subject, Athena grabbed her bags and went home.

---

After changing, her phone beeped. She received a new message.

From: +639********
Is this Athena Martinez?

To: +639********
Yes. Who is this?

From: +639********
I heard may umaaway sayo. Wht don't you fight back?

To: +639********
Life is too short to bear grudges. Smile ka nalang po :)

From: +639********
What do you mean?

To: +639********
Secret lang natin 'to ok?

From: +639********
Noted.

To: +639********
I have a hole in my heart. Naagapan na sana when I was a kid but since first year, the hole reappeared and got bigger.

From: +639********
Bakit hindi ka magpa-opera?

To: +639********
We're counting on meds. My heart is too weak. If we operate it, madudurog lang siya. Hopefully, the meds wil strengthen my heart.

From: +639********
Now I know. Get well then.

To: +639********
Thanks but who are you? Haha :)

From: +639********
Tomorrow. 5PM. Student Council room.

"Ma'am dinner na po," sigaw ni Inday, ang katulong nila Athena. Bumaba na sya sa kwarto at kumain. Pagkatapos nun, natulog na sya.

---

"Athena please take this to the Student Council room," sabi ni Ms. Corazon, ang kanilang adviser. Sya ang nautusan kasi sya ang pinakamatagal na nakalabas sa classroom. She smiled and took the folder.

She knocked on the Student Council's door and went in. She was surprised to see Ranz. Her heart skipped a beat. Ranz is the President but she didn't thought he'd be here at this hour.

"Pinapabigay ni Ms. Corazon." Athena handed the folder and gave it to Ranz. She was about to leave the room but Ranz stopped her.

"Athena, I like you. I love you so much since 7th Grade." She smiled at him.

"Ranz we don't joke about those kinds of things."

"Sa tingin mo nagjojoke ako?" Bahagyang napapikit si Ranz. "Alam ko na lahat. Lahat."

Namutla naman si Athena. She felt pain in her chest, not because of her sickness but because of what Ranz said.

"Ranz, learn to decipher love and pity. Wag mo akong paasahin." Athena then walked out.

---

For the past few days, naging cold ulit ang turing ni Ranz kay Athena and laging may ibang babae si Ranz. Everytime she sees them, her chest tightens. 'It was really pity,' she thought to herself.

Dismissal time, nagpasya si Athena na tumambay sa school garden. She sat down at the swing and moved her feet. She felt somebody hugged her and then realized it was Ranz.

Agad syang kumalas sa yakap ni Ranz.

"Athena, I tried. But I really love you."

"No you don't. May sakit na nga ako sa puso, wag mo nang dagdagan. Wag mo naman ako paasahin Ranz."

"No. Athena, I love you." Umiyak si Athena.

"I'm sick, I'll die. Masasaktan ka lang!"

"No you'll live. Shh..baby, you'll live." Napahawak namab si Athena sa kanyang dibdib. She was having a hard time breathing.

Agad sinugod ni Ranz si Athena sa ospital.

---

Ranz waited outside the ICU when the doctor went out.

"Doc, musta na sya?" Umiling and doktor.

"Mr. Legarda, she's gone." Tumulo ang luha ni Ranz. "Apparently, we found the cause of the recent hole in her heart. May nalunok at nakain syang picture mo na pumasok sa heart, katabi ng lungs, sa loob ng ribcage." 😂😂😂

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Thanks po for reading :) Sana nag-enjoy kayo.